CHARLOTTE — Some unfriendly plants are putting a strain on the sights and sounds of a natural habitat in east Charlotte.
People are trying to protect the land from the invasive species.
For people who walk or bike through certain parts of east Charlotte, this isn’t a far-off nature preserve; it’s become part of everyday routine.
“There’s something just old school and wonderful about packing a lunch, throwing it on the back of the bicycle, picking your child up and bringing her to the park,” Charlotte Wildlife Stewards leadership team member Ed Murray said.
This area exists because Mecklenburg County bought and removed 132 flood-prone apartments. The land along Briar Creek south of Independence Blvd was restored, giving water room to spread and native habitats room to grow.
“I pulled hundreds of privets here, and it all just comes right back,” Murray said.
Murray pointed out Porcelain Berry and Kudzu climbing over trees, invasives that can push out food and flowers that birds and pollinators depend on.
“All of the interesting animals and all the beautiful flowers that we see here unfortunately probably won’t be here in 10 years unless we do something,” Murray said.
Stormwater Services manages this property and says the land itself adds to the challenge. Where water slows, invasive seeds settle, take root, and spread. Once the vines take over, Murray says, bringing this place back becomes much harder.
“We have to say the time is now,” Murray said. “The time is not in five years when it’s bad. The time is now, right when it’s beginning.”
Stormwater service says crews and volunteers both help manage the invasives. The next organized removal is Nov. 14, part of an effort to control the growth before it becomes much harder to remove.